MANILA, Philippines — “Today is the day we ignore our blood sugar,” said host Tessa Prieto-Valdes of “Inquirer Lifestyle’s Best Desserts 5,” the fifth in a series of books that started as a listing of the most decadent treats in the pages of Inquirer Lifestyle.

“This year, we have chefs and bakers not just from Manila but also from Zamboanga, Bacolod, Cebu and Bataan,” said author Vangie Baga-Reyes at the launch at SM Aura Premier’s SMX Convention Center on Monday.

“We’re lucky that the best of the best are with us every year,” she added.

Over 90 dessert makers

Over 90 dessert makers — a mix of chefs, home bakers, hotel professionals, restaurant owners — showcased their decadent offerings under one roof, that dessert lovers — more than 2,500 of them — were only too happy to sample.

A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Gota de Leche Foundation, the event’s beneficiary for some years now.

“It was a fantastic turnout. We’re so happy that we’re able to discover more dessert makers and have more entries and choices from outside Manila,” said Inquirer CEO and president Sandy Prieto-Romualdez of the chefs and bakers who were each presented with certificates of recognition.

“The dessert selections were delightful and it was great to see so many bakers sharing their sweet treats with everyone,” said Millie Dizon, SM’s senior vice president for marketing.

“Best Desserts 5” showcased Filipino talent and flavors, including Dedet dela Fuente’s halo-halong bilo-bilo using the ginataan staple as a canvas for delicious flavors, the kutsinta makeover Cutechinta by Agapita and Greggie Mercado of Aging’s Food Delight and chef Carol Lavin of Lavin Homebaked Traditions’ sapin-sapin cheesecake.

“This project of Inquirer is actually (meant) to make us feel what’s good and sweet about the Filipino,” said Inquirer Lifestyle editor Thelma Sioson San Juan.

Goldilocks and Petron Gasul cosponsored the event.